It's pretty fascinating how we can look at the same facts and get an entirely different picture. I'm happy to have someone weighing in who worked in the field, though, so thanks for the thoughtful comment. I'll give details later on how much I find out -- based on articles I've read by people who have had the analysis done, I think I, personally, will be happy with having spent $1000. Generalizations are a lot better than the nothing I have now. :)
there is still so much that we just don't know
We may use Genetic and Phenotypic Information to conduct 23andMe-authorized scientific research and development... worrisome...
I find these two sentiments together pretty worrisome... they set up a pretty self-perpetuating situation, no? If people are worried about being part of studies, they won't happen and the body of knowledge won't grow. That doesn't sound like a dynamic I want to be part of. Without rereading the privacy statement, I do think I remember that all sharing is opt-in, but I just find that exciting, a chance to be part of the growth of this branch of science. (I don't have to give them any phenotypic information, and I might not; and if indeed the genetic stuff will be shared but anonymously, that's fine). SOME people have to feel the way I do, or the studies can't happen.
It's funny, I've often joked that I was born without the privacy gene, but with people giving me serious talks about how genes are not destiny, it doesn't sound as funny tonight. It's true, though, that if there was a privacy-sensitivity gene, I wouldn't have it. I wonder sometimes if it has to do with being somewhere on the geek/Asperger's/autism spectrum. I read somewhere that a few other "big concepts" like patriotism tend to leave Aspies cold...
As we do get better at predicting genetic factors for everything from cancer to poor eyesight, our genetic information will become more and more valuable
Right, which is why it's so cool that my genome will stay online so that new research can be evaluated as it happens to apply to me. I know about GINA, and find it encouraging that legislation related to this stuff is already in the Senate; it takes time to get the right laws through, and I'm not even familiar enough with GINA to be sure it's the version of the concept I'd be most in favor of, but clearly the lawmakers are working on something about genetic non-descrimination. We don't seem to be heading in the direction of Gattaca just yet.
Sorry this is so long; I couldn't sleep and finally decided to give up on trying for a while.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2007-11-28 06:19 am (UTC)there is still so much that we just don't know
We may use Genetic and Phenotypic Information to conduct 23andMe-authorized scientific research and development... worrisome...
I find these two sentiments together pretty worrisome... they set up a pretty self-perpetuating situation, no? If people are worried about being part of studies, they won't happen and the body of knowledge won't grow. That doesn't sound like a dynamic I want to be part of. Without rereading the privacy statement, I do think I remember that all sharing is opt-in, but I just find that exciting, a chance to be part of the growth of this branch of science. (I don't have to give them any phenotypic information, and I might not; and if indeed the genetic stuff will be shared but anonymously, that's fine). SOME people have to feel the way I do, or the studies can't happen.
It's funny, I've often joked that I was born without the privacy gene, but with people giving me serious talks about how genes are not destiny, it doesn't sound as funny tonight. It's true, though, that if there was a privacy-sensitivity gene, I wouldn't have it. I wonder sometimes if it has to do with being somewhere on the geek/Asperger's/autism spectrum. I read somewhere that a few other "big concepts" like patriotism tend to leave Aspies cold...
As we do get better at predicting genetic factors for everything from cancer to poor eyesight, our genetic information will become more and more valuable
Right, which is why it's so cool that my genome will stay online so that new research can be evaluated as it happens to apply to me. I know about GINA, and find it encouraging that legislation related to this stuff is already in the Senate; it takes time to get the right laws through, and I'm not even familiar enough with GINA to be sure it's the version of the concept I'd be most in favor of, but clearly the lawmakers are working on something about genetic non-descrimination. We don't seem to be heading in the direction of Gattaca just yet.
Sorry this is so long; I couldn't sleep and finally decided to give up on trying for a while.